Paul Arco: What’s wrong with fantasy’s greatest player ever?

Are you a frustrated LaDainian Tomlinson owner like me, filled with self doubt, suffering from a lack of sleep, and an 0-3 record to start the season?

Paul Anthony Arco

Are you a frustrated LaDainian Tomlinson owner like me, filled with self doubt, suffering from a lack of sleep, and an 0-3 record to start the season?

The fantasy campaign started out so promising.

After landing the No. 1 pick, it was a no-brainer, right? It was L.T. all the way. There was no wavering. No thought of trading the pick. No question about it. You weren’t going to take Steven Jackson. Or Larry Johnson. Peyton Manning didn’t even tempt you.

On my team, L.T. was soon joined by QB Tom Brady and WR Marvin Harrison. Are you kidding me? Thoughts of back-to-back titles started dancing through my head.

But after three games, L.T. has a paltry 2.3 yards per carry average. He’s rushed for just one touchdown. Heck, he’s thrown that many touchdowns. Those are mere mortal-like numbers. He’s Superman playing like his cape is twisted around his neck. Like the ball is kryptonite.

Or worse. He’s playing like Cedric Benson.

What is wrong with arguably the greatest fantasy player ever?

“There isn’t anything wrong with L.T.,” John Peterson of Roscoe said. “(San Diego has) all new coaches and he’s played against three of the best defenses in football (Bears, Patriots and Packers) who have slowed him down. It will not be easy to match last year’s numbers.”

I’m ashamed to say this: I can’t help but think of all the other backs I’d rather have on my roster right now: Willie Parker. Travis Henry. Joseph Addai. Brian Westbrook. Marion Barber. Speaking of which, I’d even take the guy who trims my hair over the player known for cutting through defenses.

“I own L.T. in the WCOFF (the Vegas-based league) and I’m wondering this myself,” said Mark St. Amant, author of ‘Committed: Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie.’

“Norv Turner is wrong with L.T. So is Philip Rivers’ regression. So is the loss of Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips. So is the lack of any other receiving threat besides Antonio Gates (can you believe they miss Keenan McCardell and Eric Parker?).

“But the underrated culprit? The Chargers’ pass defense. Opposing offenses are simply staying on the field longer, scoring more, keeping L.T. off the field. Bottom line, it’s the perfect storm.”

To be fair, L.T. isn’t the only top-flight back struggling this season. Larry Johnson comes to mind. Other backs such as Brandon Jacobs are hurt. Steven Jackson is out this week. Deuce McAllister is out for the year.

L.T. still has Kansas City twice, Oakland twice, Houston, Tennessee and Detroit on the schedule. None of which are great run-stopping defenses.

Game of the Week
New England at Cincinnati
No one can stop the Patriots and the Bengals won’t either. Tom Brady and Randy Moss (five TDs) have been lights out. And that trend will continue this week. Brady has thrown at least three TDs in each game so far. RB Rudi Johnson is likely out for the Bengals, but WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh averages 140 receiving yards in two career games against the Patriots.

Mailbag
Who has been the biggest disappointment so far this season, and why?

“Drew Brees. To have the most interceptions in the league after last year? What happened?” e-mailed Dennis Nelson of Rockford

“Before last week I would have said Donovan McNabb. Now I would probably say Maurice Jones-Drew,” e-mailed Doug Rand of Belvidere. “He may have been a fantasy MVP last year, but he has done nothing this year.”

“It’s WR Lee Evans,” e-mailed Mike Garrigan, news anchor for WIFR-23. “He has five catches for 29 yards. ... His longest catch was for nine yards. Last year he had 265 yards in a single game. This year he’s on pace for 155 yards for the entire season.”

Question of the Week

If you’re looking for a quarterback, do you pick up Brian Griese, and why?

Paul Anthony Arco’s fantasy football column appears every Sunday in the Register Star. Email questions or comments to paularco@aol.com.